Japan, European Union Agree To Step Up Intellectual Property Enforcement

Law360 (June 22, 2004, 12:00 AM EDT) -- Japan and the European Union have penned an agreement to strengthen their cooperation to protect intellectual property rights in Asia.

"Since it is in the mutual interest of Japan and the EU to defend innovation and creativity, the strengthening of their cooperation on issues related to IPR (intellectual property rights) protection and enforcement has become an essential line of action," the two sides said in a joint statement issued after the 13th EU-Japan summit.

"This is particularly true for the Asian region, where current levels of...